University of Arizona's WEST Center

WEST Center facilitates innovative research and technology development to ensure safe and sustainable water supplies. Critical to WEST’s success is the partnership between the University of Arizona, the private sector, utilities, and the community at large.

Features of the WEST Center:

State-of-the-art facility for new water and energy technology evaluation
Provides world class expertise in:
- Environmental microbiology & environmental engineering
- Technology development for reduced energy use in water treatment
- In line real-time sensors for water treatment technologies
A leading center in emerging chemical and microbial contaminants
Community monitoring of infectious agents for pandemic prevention and prediction
Co-located with Wastewater Reclamation Facility allows for direct access to online variable water qualities for flow-through experiments

News

Yokogawa and WEST collaborate to evaluate new pathogen detection technology

Oct. 25, 2024

WEST and the Japanese corporation Yokogawa are partnering to assess a system to improve advanced water reuse efforts.

Combined photo of a lab tech looking in a microscope, water glass, and microbes.

WEST researchers investigate pathogens in Arizona’s waters and around the world

Oct. 1, 2024

Led by Drs. Gerba, Betancourt, Bright, and Boone, a prominent microbiology team at WEST Center investigates pathogen origin, risk, and removal from the environment.

Technician filling water bottles in a laboratory

WEST offers high school students hands-on experience in world-class laboratory

Sept. 17, 2024

During the summer of 2024, three Arizona high school students worked with UArizona faculty and staff at WEST Center, learning laboratory techniques and conducting research with guidance from mentor experts.

Event participants on the steps of a University of Arizona building

Water Reuse Consortium meeting highlights innovative research and student achievement

Aug. 30, 2024

The University of Arizona hosted a successful Interim Progress Report (IPR) meeting of the Water Reuse Consortium in summer 2024. The meeting showcased the WEST Center team’s significant contributions to project collaboration and research advancements.

Space sciences, water resources, geosciences excel in latest US News global ranking

June 26, 2024

UArizona was once again recognized as a top world research institution, including achieving a No. 2 ranking in the U.S. for water resources.

electromagnetic spectrum showing wavelengths and types of light

WEST research investigates the use of light technologies to enhance food safety

May 1, 2024

Two studies at WEST Center examine how ultraviolet and blue light may improve disinfection during harvesting and processing of fresh produce.

Water+Energy Nexus

Innovative Technology

WET Center at WEST

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